COMMODORE’S MESSAGE
In the midst of the cold and the snow, many of us are thinking and dreaming about boating season for 2003. Your Board of Governors has been hard at work through the winter, planning for social events, junior sailing, preparing for new members, managing the budget, working on facility improvements, preparing for a likely dredging in the fall of 2003, and more. Chris Audley has continued to look after the Ropewalk and the waterfront with good care. Believe it or not, Opening Day is coming up fast -- April 12th is our Workday to get the Club open and off to a fast start. I hope to see you there!

Tim Hussey

WAYS AND MEANS
Finally it's time to open up our clubhouse, uncover our boats and start planning for some warm weather fun at AYC. Our mid-winter "Ice Breaker" gathering was enjoyable although not as well attended as previous years. Hopefully that was only due to many folks traveling to warmer and sunnier climates which, given this past winter, would be easily understood!

Planning is now underway for AYC's biggest social event, the Up Anchor, but I'm disappointed to say that Holly Johnson won't be managing it as in years past. It's time for new volunteers to step up to manage and host this event. Remember that this is our club's premier social event, it is managed by member volunteers, and volunteers at all levels of participation are needed. Time is already running short on the planning. We need your help, please call me directly (207 967 9828) to offer your services. By the way, we have hired AYC's favorite band, Straight Lace, to perform this year!

Bob Scribner

JUNIOR SAILING
The first session of Junior Sailing will get underway on
Monday, June 23. Once again Reef Sports will be
running the program for us. If you have not received
an application for the program please email Anne
Raynor at afraynor@yahoo.com.

SPACE IS LIMITED SO PLEASE SIGN UP EARLY.

Anne Raynor

2002 THURSDAY NIGHT SAILING RESULTS
At last years annual meeting we announced the results of the 2002 Thursday
Night Sailing Program. Seventeen members participated in 2002 using six of
our 420's on some nights. We awarded 1 point for 1st place, 2 points for
second place and so on, points were tailed at the end of each night and
season points were awarded, again 1 point for 1st, 2 points for 2nd, etc. At
the end of the season points were totaled to decide the overall winners.
Everyone was awarded the same number of points if they missed a night. After a
great season with good wind and new boats (these were rotated to keep thing
on the "up and up") the results are as follow:

Congratulations to the leaders and to everyone that joined us last year.

THURSDAY NIGHT SAILING
The Thursday night Sailing program will begin on June 27 and end on August
28. As in the past, we leave the docks at 1730 hours and usually get in
three or four races. Everyone is invited to join us. A sign up list will be
posted at the Ropewalk or contact me at pdonovan1@earthlink.net or
671-2532. We generally plan on having four boats ready, but have an
additional four boats that can be rigged with a short notice. So feel free
to contact me, even if it's 1500 hours on Thursday, the more the merrier!

Peter Donovan

BUILDING COMMITTEE
This year we plan to replace the slider closest to the galley. This slider
is used the most and is showing it. We will also be looking at replacing the
deck this fall. Please feel free to make any comment; we will have a comment
sheet posted next to the Dock Masters Locker. If you have interest in
participating in this committee please contact me at pdonovan1@earthlink.net
or 671-2532

Peter Donovan

WATERFRONT
Dredging Update: We have taken depth soundings to determine how much silt should be removed when the dredging occurs, which hopefully will be next winter. We will be submitting the information to the Army Corps of Engineers to secure a permit. We are also in the process of determining the cost of replacing the main train of docks. This would take place the same year that the dredging occurs. Capital funds have been put aside in anticipation of these expenditures.

David Pickering

MEMBERSHIP
Condolences to the family and friends of the following members who have recently passed away:
George B. Agnew, Jr.
Dwight Thomas
Robert H. Reid
Mae Tilton
Patsy Bauman

The following members have resigned in good standing:
Payson and Odette Hunter
Donald and Nathalie Lloyd
Mary Jo Thomas
Duane Preble

At this time we have seven openings for new members, the waiting list stands
at 23. Fourteen of the 23 perspective new members are boat owners. This spring the membership committee will be working on a few items that have been brought to my attention. Should you have any questions about the membership process or would like an application please contact Pete Donovan at pdonovan1@earthlink.net or 671-2532

OTHER NEWS
Happy Birthday: The Club is planning on participating in Kennebunkport’s 350th anniversary celebration this summer. Cecil Benson is heading the planning committee for the club’s involvement, and would welcome volunteers.

Yard Sale: The Nautical Yard Sale listed in the (printed) Social Calendar for May 3 will not take place this year.

Made in the Shade: A new tent for the back deck was made for AYC over the
winter months. It should be up by the UP ANCHOR party.

Planning Ahead: Rental requests have been pouring in so if you are thinking of renting the Club please let Gail Preble know as soon as possible. See Clubhouse Page for more details.

2003 AYC Yearbook: Updating of the Arundel Yacht Club Yearbook began March 1st. Doug Leonard is assembling committee reports and updating membership information. Dave James needs photos to include in the 2003 yearbook. If you have any interesting shots from either AYC social functions or
on-the-water activities, please send them to Dave James, at POB 629A, Kennebunkport, 04046, or e-mail them to vinkel@aol.com. He can use electronic digital or hard copy photos. Photos will be returned if requested.

CONGRATULATIONS IN ORDER
Tracy and Douglas Hall are expecting their second child this spring.

Karolyn and Charles Zois are first-time grandparents. Emir was born to Alexandra and Hooman Yaghoobi in December.

Gordon and Susan Ayer have another grand daughter – Abigail Elizabeth Duckworth born November 14, 2002.

Jay Hotchkiss has moved his marine brokerage business to Yarmouth.

It appears the old adage, “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant,” is true on many levels. Much has been accomplished during these long months of winter so that spring and summer at the club are better than ever. Here’s to the boating season around the corner. We hope to see you at the club soon.